1,000 Attend Peralta Job Fair

The sixth annual Job Fair sponsored by state Senator Jose Peralta, along with Woodside on the Move and the Queens Center Mall. About 1,000 jobs-seekers turned out for the sixth annual job fair sponsored by state Senator Jose Peralta, along with Woodside on the Move and the Queens Center Mall. Companies present at the event interviewed at least 550 participants, and many more candidates made appointments for interviews in the near future.

“Even though the unemployment rate continues to decline and the economy continues to improve, a lot of families have a very difficult time making ends meet,” said Peralta, who first organized the job fair as a response to the recession that hit the United States in 2008. “From past experience with our job fairs, many of the job hunters who were interviewed or scheduled follow up interviews with employers will receive a job offer.”

Peralta noted that according to the latest statistics published by the New York State Department of Labor, New York City registered an unemployment rate of 5.6 percent in July of 2016 – not seasonally adjusted – compared to 5.7 percent in July of last year. The same source pointed out that the unemployment rate in Queens was lower than for the entire city, 4.9 percent in July of this year. Unemployment for the borough in July of 2015 was the same, 4.9 percent.

In Queens, as of July of this year, 57,200 people were looking for jobs, compared to 58,600 in July of 2015, according to the New York State Department of Labor.

“Queens Center is proud to have been a partner with Senator Jose Peralta to bring a valuable Job Fair to the residents of Queens,” said John Scaturro, Senior Manager of Marketing at Queens Center Mall. With over 50 employers present and nearly 1,000 job seekers, the Job Fair was a huge success. Queens Center is a perfect location for this initiative. It brings the community to one location and benefits everyone involved, including our many retailers and restaurants seeking qualified employees, especially with the upcoming holiday season. We look forward to our continued partnership with Senator Peralta and his team bringing important community initiatives to the mall, where Queens residents gather.”